The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-03-23
TWenty-Six and Twenty-Seyen Years
Ago.
BY REV. P. l.. HERMAN OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE.

camp meetings were held at Colo
Springs in the bounds of what was
then Concord circuit, Wadesboro Dis
trict, South Carolina Conference. The
late E. w. Thompson was preacher in
charge, and this scribe was junior
preacher. The Editor of the Neigh6o'
was the Presiding Elder. The politi'
cal sky was overspread with dark omi'
nous clouds in 1860; the distant NUT
terings Of a coming storm arrested at
tention, and fell upon the public ear
Notwithstanding these surroundings
the preachers were at their posts. Al
cur quarterly and Campmeeting the
most conspicuous figure was the Pre-
siding Elder whose coming was always
hailed with pleasure. At these meet
ings we expected big time and were
never disappointed; things moved
the public mind and heart were stir"
red. The official members looked Sc
rious, and seemed more devout than
on ordinary occasions.
This general chief pastor came for
the purpose of reviewing the saints,
and to preach to the masses.
The roll was called and all the sub
ordinates were expected to answer to
their names, in fact the rank and file
were required to appear on dress pa
rade once every three months, and be
scrutinized by the officer of the day.
Duties performed must have official
approval; obligations neglected must
be reproved. These were times of
great solemnity particularly when n
case had to be tried by court-martial.
There were also other matters of grave
import to be reviewed the treasury de-
partment and commissary stores were
looked into. Quarterly meeting was
the day that the pay train was expect
ed, and all the employees on the mar
row way and strait gate line expected
to be paid. Oh, Mr.. Editor, how sad a
| frequent occurance in those days
when the pay train was behind time,
sometimes failed to arrive at all. Oh
the heart-rending groans of the OIL
GERS. These were days OF real distress,
but then the preachers had the fervent
prayers of the pious beseeching the
Lord to give the laborers souls for
their hire. I am glad that those days
of trial are now things of the past. I
have wondered the pay train being be-
hind caused me to linger about the de-
pot.
The elder preached in the summer of
1860 at Cold Springs. His theme was
the "siens of the times" Our recol-
lection is that the preacher painted a
big signboard that day. The corrupt
politician, the drunkard, the gambler,
the dancing master (who protessed to
be churchman) with the bloomer
dressed bellies, denominated short
frocked dancers, together with the lib
ertine, we're all on the board that day.
It was s. sermon for the times as well
as the signs Of the times; it stirred the
vast assembly. Some wept and re-
pented, others rejoiced, while still 9th.
ers of the baser sort reviled and cursed
the message and the messenger. The
whole camp was stirred from center to
circumference.
In 1861, we again met the same Pre-
siding Elder upon the same ground ;
he stands before the same congrega-
ton. Many of the predictions of the
preacher had been fulfilled during the
year; the "dogs of war" had been un-
chained the Elder propounded to the
assembly the question Gam I become
your enemy because I tell you the
truth ?" and proceeded to demonstrate
to them that he was their friend the
best of friends. The people believed
they were melted into tenderness; ap-
parently the whole camp surrendered
many souls were converted.
Though twenty-six or twenty-seven
years Of toll and conflict intervene
yet that day abides fresh in memory,
and a benediotion upon my heart.
Should these lines meet the eye OF
the pastor of Leesville and Concord
he is at liberty to make any needed
corrections as write from memory.
p. L. HERMAN.
.SaoaO Hill, N. c., Feb. 18th, 1887.